Dark Matter

Creative Director

Awards

Keywords

Science Communication, VR Wearables, Costume, Fabric manipulation, Haptic, Space

Brief

What could we experience and feel that would reflect the universe contracting and the weight of new matter being made? BB Studio considered Dark Matter and Dark Energy as the perfect topic to develop into virtual as this elusive substance makes up 95% of our reality. We created a ground-breaking, first-of-its kind experiential fashion -VR- haptic piece, which was short-listed for awards and presented internationally from Colombia to Singapore.

BB Studio gave gallery spectators the chance to wear the piece and walk around with it, thereby creating a holistic wearable story experience. Those in the queue were able to witness their counterparts engage with the piece, which sparked their interest even more. Our approach challenged the look of VR and ultimately turned the spectator or wearer into an actual piece of the art in itself. This was particularly poignant for a gallery setting as waiting in the queue is often as long as the VR experience itself. The opportunity incorporated a number of multi-sensory inflatables, hacked blood pressure machines, buzzers, fabric manipulation and VR headsets. The project has been exhibited internationally at Future Of_, Victoria & Albert Museum, Colombia ISEA, Portugal New European Media Awards, Wearable Tech Show, Austin Texas and been featured in Digital trends.

Creative Process

BB Studio worked closely with filmmaker-engineer Coriolan Verchezer to develop a science communication piece. BB Studio manipulated fabric to represent Dark Matter where the outer was observable black but on movement reflected back our limited reality of 5%.

BB Studio also created a fictional story inspired by the insights from demoing the piece :

BB Studio. It is 2030. We have managed to find a way to see more than just 5% of our reality. We have now penetrated the shroud of mystery of dark matter and dark energy that make up around 95% of our reality; and harness it to create transcendental communication. This garment of 2030 allows us to teleport ourselves into each other across time and space to different degrees by mutual consent to create a pure spiritual connection undistorted and untarnished by social constructs. This garment facilitates and supports us to be emotionally naked with each other. Social media has finally become soulful media.

Content Space abstraction into haptics, textiles and VR Technology Arduino, buzzers, GearVR headset, Space Engine 360 animation Wearables Haptic buzzer, Haptic pneumatic Costume/Fashion Cape, headset cover, over headset hood

Events

2018 Electronic Visualisation & the Arts/ British Computer Society Conference: Published Paper & Speaker

2018 London Laser Series, CSM2017 International Symposium of Electronic Arts, Colombia

2017 Propella Presents: The Future of London

2017 Senate House, Opensenses by the Institute of Philosophy: DMDE v2.1

2017 Sculpture gallery, V & A London: Digital Drop: Showcased and demonstrated a number of pieces and works in progress

2017 The Body Hacking Conference, Austin, Texas: Panel Speaker & Catwalk

2016 SCYA Goodmans Art Centre, Singapore: Dream of Stars talk and installation DMDE V1.2

2016 University of Fine Art, Porto, Portugal: New European Media 2016; Finalist talk and installation DMDE V1.2

2016 V & A London: E-stitches Talk & Demonstration DMDE V1.2

Press